SMALL IS SENSATIONAL

Leading and Loving an Entrepreneurial Church

ISAIAH 43:18

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

TODAY’S GOAL

To create a sense of excitement, possibility and

renewed love for your small church and its

potential for growth and vitality.

TODAY’S POINT

Small churches are not simply little versions of

big churches!

TODAY’S OUTLINE Why change? What is an “entrepreneurial”

church? What are the five building blocks of

change? What are some pitfalls and

challenges? What does success feel like? Questions and dialogue

Rev. Cindy Bagley

HELLO!

Why Change?

Expectation of Involvement and Empowerment

Dynamic Process and Outcome Focus Global Standards Busy Parishioners Low Institutional Loyalty Static is Not an Option

What is a “Traditional” Church?

Stable and Self-Contained Focus on Efficiency and Activity Vertically Structured Role Oriented

There is nothing wrong with a traditional church!

What is an Entrepreneurial Church?

What is An Entrepreneurial Church?

Apostolic! Vision Driven Open and Dynamic System Outwardly Focused Responsive not Deliberative Radically Decentralized Empowering in its Leadership Style Short Term vs. Long Term Focused

SMALL IS SENSATIONAL

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE

SMALL?

SMALL IS SENSATIONAL

Small is not a Stop on the Highway to Big

Small Church Ministry and Membership Can and Should be a Choice

THE FIVE BUILDING BLOCKS OF CHANGE

Vision Culture Structure Resources Leadership

1. VISION Know Thy

Environment Know Thyself Identify Your

Opportunity Dream Huge Make “Small” a

Destination not a Default Position

Vision

Dunbarton Church Vision

“Our vision is simple:

to offer the best small church experience

anyone can find anywhere.”

2. CULTURE See Crisis as Opportunity Embed Your Vision Appreciate Innovation

and Change Implement a “No

Negativity” Policy Follow Your People’s

Energy Embrace a Passion for

Action Celebrate Failure Accept Inefficiency and

Imperfection

Vision

Culture

3. STRUCTURE Radically Decentralize Be Radically

Transparent Create “Points of

Entry” Eliminate Structural

Barriers to Participation

Create Interdependency

Make Planning a Process not an Event

Create Fluid Roles and Boundaries

Structure

Culture

Vision

4. RESOURCES Manage Energy not

Dollars Take Away the Money Employ Asset-Based

Thinking Prune Courageously Pay as You Go Think Outside Your

Building Love Technology! Connect Resource

Needs with Specific Outcomes

Resources

Culture

Structure

Vision

“STEWARDSHIP AT THE EDGES”

This . . . or this . . .

5. LEADERSHIP Be Idea, not Role Driven Manage Energy Practice Creative and

Flexible Thinking Develop a Capacity for

Chaos Manage Mutual

Affirmation Manage Reflection Manage Fear,

Uncertainty and Ambiguity

Insist on Upside Potential Trinitarian Role: Creator,

Sustainer, Redeemer

Resources

Leadership

Culture

Vision

Structure

Pitfalls and Challenges

Leadership

Culture

Structure

Resources

Vision

WHAT SENSATIONAL LOOKS LIKEAlternative Measures of Success

For I know the plans I have for you,

declares the Lord, plans for welfare

and not for evil, to give you a future

and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

WHAT SENSATIONAL FEELS LIKE“Love in Action”

FINAL QUESTIONS?

Greetings from the Dunbarton

Congregational Church!

OTHER RESOURCES

WWW.DCCUCC.ORG“Small is Sensational” Link

THANK YOU

GO FORTH AND BE

SENSATIONAL!